EAST COAST ROMPER REVIEW

VIEW OF A BURNING CITY-VOBC
www.myspace.com/vobc
It’s a rare occasion when you hear a band so grossly underappreciated that you just have to wonder why they haven’t been signed. How and why this group hasn’t been picked by a major is beyond my comprehension. Regardless, with an EP this great and innovative yet simultaneously “retro” in a sense, VOBC is taking various forms of metal to new frontiers. Without getting into a genre diatribe it could be said that in just for songs you will hear “Classic Metal”, MOTORHEAD, high register vocals a la KILLSWITCH ENGAGE and a borderline sludgy combination of THE SWORD meets a southern tinged SKINLAB. The vocal layering alone points out their willingness to take risks. The musical backdrop was almost an incongruity at first but as each song progresses you begin to understand their efforts and dare it be said…genius? They obviously comprehend the ideology behind being meticulous yet simplified when necessary. The fact that it challenges you from an auditory perspective is reason enough to put forth the effort and get their music. It also didn’t hurt their music by recording at Zing Studios and having it mastered at Sterling Sound. Although the EP was a bit of teaser (four songs) you just have to wonder what will happen when they have the resources to put out a full length album. You never want to imply that a band is the “next best thing” but VOBC have hit pretty close to that mark with this release. Show your love for a local band (Massachusetts) and support their efforts; you won’t be disappointed.
Reviewed By: B.